Awareness, Safety, Decision-Making, and Firearm-Related Risk in Relationships

Your safety matters.
This survey is about understanding how people make decisions about their safety in relationships, including situations where there may be concerns about harm or access to weapons.

You can skip any question.
You do not need to describe anything you are not comfortable sharing.
You can stop at any time.
Your responses are anonymous.

Some questions may feel personal or bring up difficult feelings. You are in control of what you choose to share.

If you would like support at any time, you can contact:
BWSS Crisis Line: 604-687-1867
VictimLinkBC: 1-800-563-0808

For information on safety planning www.bwss.org
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

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1. Section 1: About Your Experience

Have you ever felt concerned about your safety in a relationship?

Yes

Prefer not to say

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2. Have you ever felt controlled, monitored, or afraid in a relationship?

Yes

Unsure

Prefer not to say

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3. Section 2:
Awareness of Firearm-Related Risk

In any relationship where you felt concerned about your safety, were you aware that the other person had access to a firearm?

Yes

Unsure

Prefer not to say

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4. If yes or unsure, how did you become aware of this? Check all that apply

I saw a firearm

They told me they had one

They talked about using it

They referred to it during conflict

Someone else told me

I was not certain, but I believed they had access

Prefer not to say

Other (please specify)

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5. Section 3: Impact on Safety and Decisions

Did knowing or believing that a firearm was present affect how you thought about your safety?

Yes

Unsure

Prefer not to say

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6. If yes, in what ways did it affect your decisions?

(Check all that apply)

I delayed leaving

I stayed longer than I wanted to

I changed my safety planning

I avoided certain actions or conversations

I reached out for support

I did not feel safe seeking help

Prefer not to say

Other (please specify)

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7. Section 4: Awareness of Options and Support

At any point, were you told about options to restrict someone’s access to firearms (for example, through the courts)?

Yes

Unsure

Prefer not to say

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8. If yes, who shared this information with you?

(Check all that apply)

Victim service worker

Transition house or shelter worker

Lawyer or legal advocate

Police

Friend or family member

Prefer not to say

Other (please specify)

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9. Did you ever consider taking action to restrict access to a firearm?

Yes

Unsure

Prefer not to say

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10. Section 5: Safety and Risk Considerations - Check all that apply

If you considered taking action, what concerns did you have?

Fear of retaliation

Concern the person would find out

Fear the situation would escalate

Concern about involving police or courts

Not having enough information or support

Not believing it would be effective

Prefer not to say

Other (please specify)

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11. What made the situation feel more or less safe for you at the time?

Comment

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12. Section 6: Experience with Systems (Optional)

If you sought help, which supports or systems did you interact with?

(Check all that apply)

Transition house or shelter

Victim services

Police

Courts

Legal advocate or lawyer

Community organization

I did not seek support

Prefer not to say

Other (please specify)

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13. What helped you feel safer when you were seeking support?

Comment

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14. What did not help or made things more difficult?

Comment

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15. Section 7: What Would Have Helped

Looking back, what would have made it easier or safer to take action to protect yourself?

Comment

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16. What information or support would have helped you most at the time?

Comment

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17. Section 8: Final (Optional)

Is there anything else you would like to share about safety, decision-making, or support?

Comment

Other (please specify)

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18. Would you be interested in participating in a voluntary follow-up conversation (for example, a confidential discussion or circle)?

Yes

If yes, you may provide contact information here (optional):

Awareness, Safety, Decision-Making, and Firearm-Related Risk in Relationships

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* 1. Section 1: About Your Experience

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* 2. Have you ever felt controlled, monitored, or afraid in a relationship?

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* 3. Section 2: Awareness of Firearm-Related Risk

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* 4. If yes or unsure, how did you become aware of this? Check all that apply

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* 5. Section 3: Impact on Safety and Decisions

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* 6. If yes, in what ways did it affect your decisions?

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* 7. Section 4: Awareness of Options and Support

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* 8. If yes, who shared this information with you?

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* 9. Did you ever consider taking action to restrict access to a firearm?

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* 10. Section 5: Safety and Risk Considerations - Check all that apply

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* 11. What made the situation feel more or less safe for you at the time?

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* 12. Section 6: Experience with Systems (Optional)

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* 13. What helped you feel safer when you were seeking support?

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* 14. What did not help or made things more difficult?

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* 15. Section 7: What Would Have Helped

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* 16. What information or support would have helped you most at the time?

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* 17. Section 8: Final (Optional)

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* 18. Would you be interested in participating in a voluntary follow-up conversation (for example, a confidential discussion or circle)?

1. Section 1: About Your Experience

2. Have you ever felt controlled, monitored, or afraid in a relationship?

3. Section 2:
Awareness of Firearm-Related Risk

4. If yes or unsure, how did you become aware of this? Check all that apply

5. Section 3: Impact on Safety and Decisions

6. If yes, in what ways did it affect your decisions?

7. Section 4: Awareness of Options and Support

8. If yes, who shared this information with you?

9. Did you ever consider taking action to restrict access to a firearm?

10. Section 5: Safety and Risk Considerations - Check all that apply

11. What made the situation feel more or less safe for you at the time?

12. Section 6: Experience with Systems (Optional)

13. What helped you feel safer when you were seeking support?

14. What did not help or made things more difficult?

15. Section 7: What Would Have Helped

16. What information or support would have helped you most at the time?

17. Section 8: Final (Optional)

18. Would you be interested in participating in a voluntary follow-up conversation (for example, a confidential discussion or circle)?